Thank you to the 350+ business partners, community leaders, and volunteers who united in support of Goddard Public Schools at Oz, on Saturday, March 24th, 2024, for a spectacular journey "Somewhere over the Rainbow." Because of the generous support of all involved, over $130,000 was raised to inspire minds and expand possibilities for the students and educators in our #265Family. THANK YOU.
A team of 45+ volunteers poured their passion and hard work into bringing Oz to life in the most enchanting way possible. This year we were thrilled to welcome three outstanding students to the Oz, 2024 planning team as interns. Thank you to our GHS juniors, Kennedie Frame and Rachel Simmons, for facilitating decorations and marketing materials. Braydon Stewert, EHS senior, Chef Ben George, and the EHS Culinary program led by Kassidy Meng, for coordinating the live desserts station. In addition, a special thank you to the Goddard Middle School Industrial Technology program, under the direction of Craig Mellen, whose students designed and created the 3D-printed lollipops and Oz keychains.
We want to recognize all the partners of the Goddard Education Foundation for their dedicated support. We thank our Legacy Partners, including Lange Real Estate, Credit Union of America, and the Farris Family, for their unwavering leadership and generosity. We appreciate Hutton, Don Hattan West Kellogg, the McWhorter Family, and First National Bank of Hutchinson for their steadfast Premier Partnership. We are grateful to Holle Homes, ISG Technology, Higgins Group Inc., Vrana Chiropractic, Schaefer Architecture, Ortega Aviation, Auburn Spirits, and Expedia Cruises for being School Year partners. To all our event table sponsors including the Longabaugh Family, Griswold Family, Richards Family, Huie Family, Chick-fil-A, Copp Media Services, Equitable Advisors, City of Goddard, Mel Hambelton Ford, Building Controls Systems, THANK YOU for joining us and investing in the future of our community. We are truly #BetterTogether.
The night was filled with Wizard of Oz-themed games, with amazing raffle prizes and Live Auction packages donated by individuals and local businesses. Thank you to Tanganyika Wildlife Parks; B-29 Doc Hangar and Aviation Center; Chef Ben George; the Hersh Family; Susan Perkins and Heart of Country Catering; Dawn Verboom and Auburn Spirits; Hunter Schrader (265 Alumnus); J R Custom Metal Products; Darren Rickets and Jerry Longabaugh, Hutton and Wichita Wind Surge; Matt Hamm (265 Alumnus); Building Controls System; John Loomis; Matt Cavanaugh (265 Alumnus); Sean, Danielle, and Katie Hollas (265 Alumna); Todd Hague; Carrie Phelps; and Ortega Aviation for contributing one-of-a-kind experiences and packages that were sold at the Live Auction.
The amazing game raffle prize packages were brought to you by Expedia Cruises, First National Bank, Don Hattan West Kellogg, Credit Union of America, Lange Real Estate, Kansas City Royals, Wichita Thunder, Wichita Wind Surge, Hotel at Old Town, WSU Athletic Department, Chicken N Pickle, Top Golf, Urban Air, Kansas Cosmosphere, Sedgwick County Zoo, Botanica, Exploration Place, Museum of World Treasures, Old Cowtown Museum, Jason's Deli, Andy's Frozen Custard, Applebees, Dave and Busters, Sonic, Chipotle, Carlos O Kelly's, Nail Lounge, Abuelos, Forever Yours, Starbucks, Subway, Red Robin, Meddy's, Papa Murphey's, and Blade and Timber.
Thank you to all the volunteers who made this event possible. We appreciate you! Your love and attention to each detail through planning games, food, decorations, and more produced a truly magical fundraising event. Oz Planning Committee Members included Jacque Grant, Gail Jamison, Cathy Hersh, Todd Roberts, Megan Alexander, Tiffany Spradling, Scott May, Travis Rink, Jerry Longabaugh, Christine Jones, Matt Hamm, Melissa Haney, Jen Schrader, Amanda Leivian, and Dane Baxa. Volunteers during the event included Greg Alexander, Eric and Valerie Armstrong, Joey Buresh, Emily and Connor Christensen, Kelly Cocking, Tony Douglas, Allison and Matt Ebert, Brittinia Ferris, Catherine Fluty, Claire Gallegos, Sydney Graf, Callie Grater, Meghan Hummer, Marney and Riney Hay, Tara and Nathan Jost, Kevin McWhorter, Nicole Hawkins-McWhorter, Wendy Kozial, Matt Cavanaugh, Sandra Lahar, Shanae Riggs, Jill Rink, Emily Pihl (Roets), Hunter and Ron Schrader, Melody Stuckey, Kenney and Brianna Talley, and Sarah Vieyra. A special thank you to the event Emcee, Shane Ewing; Auctioneer, Tyler Francis (265 Alumnus); Photographer, Darren Mullen (265 Alumnus); Catering by Susan Perkins, owner of Heart of Country Catering, Beverages from Auburn Spirts, and amazing Live Music by "The 99".
Last but certainly not least, to the Goddard Education Foundation: Your vision, leadership, and steadfast commitment to enriching the educational experience of our USD 265 students have made all of this possible. Together, we've created memories that will last a lifetime, and we couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to share the magic of Oz with our community. Here's to the next opportunity of a lifetime!
SAVE THE DATE. The next Oz event will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025!